FIC: Into the Indefinite Sky : CH 13 (Yuuram, AU)
SORRY FOR THE WAIT! Crazy things going this weekend. Lets just say that Open Houses, Volleyball, hour long bike rides to different locations of Open Houses, and seven hours of Karaoke left me unavailable for the computer. So here is your update and there are notes at the bottom for things that might not make sense in this chapter.
Title: Into the Indefinite Sky
Author: S.P. Kathrine
Anime: Kyou Kara Maou
Genre: AU, Angst/Drama, Romance
Pairing: YuurixWolfram
Rating: M-MA (R-NC17)
Chapter: Chapter 13 13/???
Warnings: Angst, Non-Consensual Sexual themes (referenced/implied), AU, OOC Wolfram, possibly OOC everyone else, Mpreg
Summary:
Wolf had spent his life believing that he was meant for servitude. His master was strict, and often cruel, but he never thought he could be anything more than what he was. One night changes everything and he is thrown into a world that he knows nothing about and given a life he never thought he could have. But a secret he keeps could only throw his life into further turmoil and not to mention the Demon King…
BETA: nekokatechan
Crossposted @: kkm_wolframfans
Other chapters located: here
Chapter 13 - The Maou
They were allowed a brief respite in their journey in a small secluded ditch that was large enough to be considered a canyon. During this time, Adelbert returned their swords to them-Morgif giving a fuss once he was returned to Yuuri-and gave them their own horses out of those left behind by their ‘departed’ riders.
After the break, they traveled through the rugged wilderness of Dai Shimaron, following wherever the burly rogue Mazoku led them. Adalbert explained that he had remained there following when they had last parted ways after a tournament-which, Wolf realized was a story he hadn’t heard of before. But rather than ask questions-thus making himself appear unknowledgeable and inexperienced-he kept his questions to himself, knowing he could force the answers out of the Maou later if need be.
“This place is full of loot to plunder,” Adelbert stated. “Especially that from Dai Shimaron, such as war funds and supplies.”
“Plunder?” Wolf frowned. “You mean you go around attacking everyone like bandits? Much different from your days as a General of Shin Makoku.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” he shrugged, and if he was affected by the statement he didn’t show it. “Now, what do you two know of those dolls that held you captive?”
“Not a clue,” Yuuri told him. “Have you heard anything?”
“Nothing about dolls,” he clarified, “although I have heard rumors about a strange masked man that now serves as Belal’s high advisor. Since his arrival Belal’s appearance and attitude had changed greatly. He’s reinforced his obsession with conquering the rest of the free world, starting with Shin Makoku.”
“A masked man?” Yuuri raised an eyebrow. “Who is he?”
“No one knows.” Another shrug, although this one held less nonchalance. “From what we know, no one has ever even seen his face.”
Wolfram stared at him, assessing the information within his own mind. “Could the stranger have something to do with the dolls?” he wondered aloud. “Like a spell-caster?”
“That, we also do not know.” It was obvious from the dark tone, that Adelbert had his own suspicions, all including the masked man, but whatever they were, he did not say. Instead he said, “Look,” motioning forward through the trees. “This is our home.”
It was a village of some sort that was on multiple levels of ground, surrounded by fences of spiked wood that traveled throughout the entire enclosure of land on all planes.
“It is a fortress that takes advantage of its natural surroundings,” Adelbert explained. “Even Dai Shimaron’s army would have troubles getting at us.”
“Very fascinating,” Wolf conceded. “But how did all of these people come to be here?”
“Ever since I arrived, different people, all outcasts, have been arriving to seek new lives for themselves,” the burly man replied. “Imagine, a village out of a former bandit hideaway.”
They entered the gates, which were immediately closed behind them, taking in the sights of the people going on with acts of everyday life. Women were sewing, others watching over children. Men were building small huts, others carrying baskets of produce. But many stopped to stare at them as they passed.
“It reminds me of other villages I’ve seen,” Yuuri replied. “There’s no difference.”
“Yes there is,” Wolf frowned, fully alert. “Practically everyone here is a former criminal. They’re devious.”
The Maou gave him a short glare. “Have a little more faith in people,” he told him.
“Faith will get you betrayed or killed,” the blonde retorted. “Probably both.”
With a sigh, Yuuri looked forward once more, only to stiffened and point. “It’s you guys!”
Down the road short way, was three figures, two men and a woman. One of the men looked intimidating and buff-although nowhere near as intimidating as Gwendal or as buff and Adelbert-with a bald head and tanned skin. The other was rather short, skinny, and had rat’s nest that resembled a ponytail tied behind his head. The woman was a dangerous beauty to say the least, with her long blood red hair and a thin, body-fitting dress with a long cut coming up to her upper thigh that allowed her left leg to stick out. She had a long wool cloak that covered part of her, although her hands were obvious on her hips.
“What an unusual surprise guest,” she remarked, although each of them did give a slight bow in way of polite greeting.
Wolf stared at them in confusion. Although he accepted that they were most likely people Yuuri had met during one of his rather frequent adventures outside of Shin Makoku, the more strangers he met that turned out not to be strangers-except to him-the more he felt as if he was trapped in a place that he did not belong. He didn’t speak of it to anyone, but he still struggled to overcome the knowledge that he was not Wolfram von Bielefield and therefore did not fit in with those who had come into their stations in life naturally. He was a ‘welcomed’ imposter.
“Oh you three,” Adelbert acknowledged them. “Join us at headquarters.”
“Oh yes, sire,” the woman nodded.
Headquarters turned out to be a well done, rather large, cabin of logs and stone with a wide patio porch and two floors of rooms. It seemed that this was where von Grantz stayed as well of some of those who had not completed their homes. It was somewhat tight fit, although there were no complaints. It seemed that everyone in the pseudo-village worked towards common goals, with von Grantz in the center of everything.
Their horses were taken by two men to their proper stables, while Wolf and Yuuri were directed towards the patio where a table and set of chairs awaited them. Another chair had to be brought out for Wolf, as he allowed the dark-haired boy to take the one that was already present-Adelbert having taking the first one. They waited in silence, neither boy sure how to start the conversation, while the older man seemed patient to await whatever else needed to be done. It wasn’t until the red-haired woman came outside with a tray of mugs and set them on the table that the tension was addressed.
“Relax,” she told them. “It’s not like I poisoned the drinks.” She then placed her hand gracefully to her breast. “Take you time and enjoy it, Your Majesty.”
“How do you know her?” Wolf finally asked.
“I met her on the dragon reserve in the mountains,” he told him.
“Dragons?” the blonde repeated. “You mean the situation with ‘Liesel’?”
“Who’s Liesel?” Yuuri gave him a confused look.
“I believe you call him ‘Pochi’, but that is absolutely no name for a dragon,” Wolf replied. “I renamed him Liesel.”
“You can’t rename a dragon you haven’t even met!” Yuuri stated frustrated.
“I did meet him!” the blonde growled, standing affronted so that he towered over the usually taller boy. “How would you know if I met him or not? You’ve only been back for less than a week after being gone for two months!”
Yuuri cowered suitably at the boy who seemed even more aggressive and angry than usual. “Sorry!” he replied, leaning back with his hands forward to protect him should the blonde decide to get physical. “I didn’t know!”
“You didn’t ask either!” he sneered, sitting down and turning his head away in a rather refined huff of indignation.
Silence reigned once more, only to have it broken by the loud bellowing laugh of their host. Adelbert couldn’t control himself after watching the hilarity of the interaction between the two boys. “It seems that you have your hands full, bouyo,” Adelbert said to Yuuri with a wide grin on his face. “I’ve never seen you so cowed. Usually you have Weller agreeing with your every word and the rest falling at your feet.”
Wolf stiffened, taking offence without really knowing why. “I fall to no one, especially not my wimp of a fianc-” A hand closed over his mouth instantly. His eyes widened in shock, only to bite down on as many fingers as possible.
“OW!” Yuuri pulled his hand back faster than he had put it there. “Why did you do that?!”
“How dare you!” The blonde shouted.
“He’s your fiancé?” Adelbert’s surprised question broke into their heated squabble. “So word of the sudden engagement of the Maou to an unknown noble is indeed true?”
“NO!” Yuuri waved his hands wildly in disagreement.
“Oh really?!” Hands shot out, shoving the raven-haired boy roughly. Yuuri let out a cry of shock, falling off of the stool and onto the wood floor. Wolf’s ire fled within seconds as he stared at the Maou on the ground, hands going to his rear end. But rather than apologize, he snorted. “Serves you right.”
What is wrong with me? he asked internally. I don’t usually go that far, or lose control that easily. I shouldn’t be this emotional.
“I take it that your both finished?” von Grantz stared at them, eyes filled with amusement as were those of the woman beside him.
Yuuri situated himself back in his seat, conspicuously pulling it away farther away from Wolf. “Yeah,” he let out an embarrassed chuckle, hand going to the back of his head as usual. “Where were we?”
“I’ll be inside,” the woman gave a brief bow. “Enjoy your drinks.” And with that she left.
“Do you see?” Adelbert asked Yuuri. “People who don’t fit in with Mazoku or Humans, live here working together, all trying to create a peaceful place to live in unity. Isn’t that the great ideal that Heika wants to create?”
“How do we know you all just aren’t a bunch of vandals hiding out here?” Wolf questioned. “You’ve already admitted to ambushes and robbery.” He passed his look over to the two men that remained stationed behind von Grantz. The short man just gave him a rather improper wink.
“Yes, many of them are riffraff,” Adelbert didn’t try to deny it. “But they were forced into it by the tyrannical rulers of their countries. Here, even though it appears small and insignificant, they are allowed to live in a community not under the jurisdiction of anyone. It’s a stronghold of freedom.”
“They wouldn’t want to come back to Shin Makoku?” Yuuri seemed actually surprised and saddened by this.
Adelbert gave a shake of his head, “Freedom is not something that one easily gives away. And there are things you can only comprehend better once you are on the outside rather than in the middle.”
Yuuri obviously didn’t understand what this meant, although Wolf felt a small knot in his chest at the words, even though they were not meant to hold the type of significance that they did to him.
“What do you mean?” the raven-haired boy asked.
Adelbert rather open expression turned cold. “Even though you have come to trust me, I still have not forgiven Shinou for what he did.”
“Shinou?” Now it was Wolf’s turn to be confused. “I heard that you turned against Shin Makoku after your fiancé passed away during the war. What does the Original King have to do with that?”
The rogue Mazoku stared at him as if he had gone mad. “Where have you been boy? Shinou has everything to do with it!”
“My apologies,” Wolf conceding to his own ignorance, knowing there was no way for him to hide it in this area, especially when it seemed that von Grantz was so passionate about it. “I was not around during what transpired twenty years ago, I only know what I have been told in my lessons since I came to Blood Pledge Castle a couple months ago.”
“The only way you couldn’t have known was if you lived in the farthest, most rural territories of Shin Makoku,” the blonde man stated.
“Very far,” Wolf replied. “I led a rather sheltered life for many years until I came to the capital.”
“I see,” Adelbert said, a curious look in his eye. “And what are your thoughts on Shinou?”
“He is an ‘all-powerful’ ghost that needs a eight hundred-year old woman in the body of a child to speak for him,” the former slave replied. “I find much to be skeptical about.”
“There is nothing more suspicious that one who claims to be judge, jury, and executioner, while advocating power and justice,” Adelbert agreed. “Belal of Dai Shimaron is such a person and so is Shinou. You are right to be wary.”
“So you turned on your country because you had a quarrel with the Original King?” Wolf frowned.
“Make no mistake,” the man stated. “I may have abandoned the following of Shinou, but I will never turn my back on Shin Makoku. She is still more important than anything else.”
Yuuri looked down, his hand going to his chest, although for what reason Wolf was unsure. “Is it because it was the country that Julia-san wanted to protect so badly?” he asked in a soft voice.
Adelbert froze, his mug trapped in the journey to his mouth. His eyes lost focus, as if he was staring internally towards something no one else could see. Wolf didn’t fully understand what was going on, but it was obvious that the Maou had said something he shouldn’t. With a slight movement under the table, Yuuri let out a yelp of pain, trying to remove his foot from under the heel that was crushing it.
“Show more consideration,” the blonde hissed at him quietly. “Honestly, what type of king are you?” The boy-king only let out a whimper at the pain he felt.
But Adelbert was standing and moving away from them towards the banister that went about the parch area. “The fate Shinou chose for her was unneeded and far too cruel,” he said. “I tried to accept it because she had, but sometimes it’s far too easy to feel bitter about it. That is why I am here in this place, so that I may finally observe the truth and see if his purpose was worth it.”
Neither boy said anything to that, both questioning the statement in their minds. Is there always a purpose? Wolf wondered. Could there have been a purpose to what happened to me? Could Shinou have had something to do with it? It seems that he is partly responsible for everything that occurs in Shin Makoku…so could he be the reason why…?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They were given a brief tour around the entire complex. Many things were still under construction, fortifying buildings for storms and the upcoming winter. It was the end of the summer and so the cold season was not too far off. And there were more children, playing and laughing and some were even helping with the work about the village. They seemed so happy that it lifted and weighed down on Wolf’s heart at the same time.
Dinner was served on the patio and they were shown to a room on the second floor for the night. Unfortunately…there was only one bed to share between them.
“I shall sleep on the floor,” Wolf told the Maou.
“No, I’ll take the chair and you can have the bed,” the other boy contradicted.
The blonde refused to budge. “You are king,” he replied. “What king sleeps in a chair?”
Yuuri gave him a foolish smile, “Ones with really comfy thrones.” The blonde did not smile back. The Maou let out a small sigh, allowing the fatigue he felt to settle over him. He was not in the mood to argue with the blonde over sleeping arrangements until morning. “Why don’t we…anou…why…we can just share the bed,” he finally forced out. “It’s an okay size for two people.”
Wolf couldn’t believe what he was suggesting. “Do you kick in your sleep?” he asked. “I’d rather not wake with bruises.”
“No!” Yuuri shook his head. “You better not either.”
“I don’t,” he stated. Often Cheri-sama had reprimanded him-although playfully-for not taking full use of his bed, as he tended to curl up against the far edge, just a breath away from falling to the floor.
“All right then,” Yuuri nodded, although it seemed as if his cheeks were darker. Wolf blamed it on the light from the fireplace.
They removed their swords and shoes, placing them on and under the table. Both moved to the bed, but neither made the first step towards actually getting in it. Wolf stared towards the floor while Yuuri’s head pivoted about on his neck, looking about in whatever direction caught his ‘attention’. The blonde spared at glance towards the discomfited boy, frowning at his blatant self-forced obliviousness.
“It’s late,” he finally huffed, crawling onto the bed and moving to the side closest to the door. “get in already, wimp, or else you can just stand there all night. This was your idea to begin with.”
From the sputter and stutter in his voice, Wolf knew that the Maou was blushing to the roots of his hair. “I…I guess your right,” he managed and slowly-as if he were a man sentenced to death at dawn-he situated himself on his side of the bed, making sure to keep his back turned away from his bedmate. He moved the sheets and blanket about anxiously as if he did not know what to do with himself. After some time, he seemed make do with the arrangement and calmed quite a bit.
The bed was indeed large enough for two, but just barely. They still were touching, back-to-back. Or at least, they should have been. Both boys remained as far apart as they could without falling off of the bed, Wolf out of habit, Yuuri out of the awkwardness of the situation.
The blonde tried to ignore the knowledge that someone else was in bed with him. It was something that he had not dealt with for years-decades-before coming to Shin Makoku. But after his arrival and settling in, he had become accustomed to Greta sneaking into his room late in the night should she have a nightmare or be frightened by an unexpected storm. She would also curl up next to him, her small body pressed so close that he would wonder at times if she was trying force herself into his body. Strangely, her presence had never driven him to fear or survival instincts.
The night had cooled comparably from the daylight hours, most likely due to their elevation in the mountainous forest, and Wolf was thankful for the fireplace that had been warming the room since before their introduction to it. It was the end of August, and therefore should not have been so chilled, but the blonde was certain that the chill he felt was from the weather outside. Perhaps a storm in brewing, he pondered, trying to suppress a shiver. Why else would I feel so cold? Subconsciously, a hand went to his stomach, although he moved it away as soon as he recognized the action. He shivered again.
The body beside him-and yet so far away-shifted, turning over. “Wolf? What’s wrong?” he stared at the other boy, who had not twisted to look back at him yet. “You’re shaking like it’s the middle of the winter. It’s really not that cool, especially with the fire going.”
“H-How should I know?” Wolf still did not rotate his head, although he did have to forcefully stop his teeth from chattering. “I j-just feel c-cold.” He shivered again.
The boy-King didn’t say anything in return and the blonde thought that it had been left alone. He settled back into the half of the pillow he used and tried to sleep, even though his body felt ice-cold in some areas, particularly his arms, legs, and back. Why do I feel like this? he wondered. I feel as if my body is slowly freezing from the outside in…
The other body in the bed moved, the area behind him dipping down. And then there was the hand. It hesitantly same from behind him, stopping very once and a while in indecisiveness. Ultimately, it curled around his upper abdomen as the body behind him pulled him closer. He was frozen, but from shock rather than from cold. What is he doing?!
“My family and I…used to go camping,” Yuuri finally, spoke, his voice wavering and fast. “My mom… She always said that if someone fell in the river and was hurt…you should curl up to them to keep them warm. Body heat, ya know?”
The hot breaths were against his ear, the other boy’s upper chest against his back. A brow rested against the top of his head and Wolf shivered again, although he was not sure what was the actual cause. He felt fear, because of the fact that it was Yuuri-a man-holding him in a way that no one had done. There was no pretense, no underlying motive. The Maou was far too open to hide such a thing even if he wanted it. It was only a show of concern and compassion.
“Thank you,” he whispered, not even sure if the raven-haired boy could hear him or had already fallen asleep. He allowed the warmth to seep into him from his bedmate, lulling him to sleep with its security. He still felt a chill in his limbs, but it didn’t matter anymore.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There were screams, loud booms and crashes that jolted Wolf from the clutches of sleep. And it was not just the racket Morgif was making from the tabletop. It was obvious that Yuuri was awake as well when the arm that still covered him was removed quickly.
“What is going on?” the boy asked, fighting off the last recesses of his dreams.
“We’re being attacked!” the blonde stated as he hurried from the bed to put on his shoes and strap on his sword-belt. The Maou quickened to do the same before both boys rushed from the room, down the stairs, and out through the already open door onto the patio. Adelbert was already there, watching the on-goings below anxiously.
What they saw was a strange bright image of some strange mystical beast, though transparent, that was ransacking the lower levels of the village.
“What is that?!” Yuuri screeched.
“A monster?” Wolf suggested.
Adelbert shook his head in repulsed confusion. “I don’t know,” he admitted, “but it looks like a form of Majutsu.”
“But that’s impossible!” Wolf pointed out. “I…I thought only the Maou was capable of using Majutsu this deep into Human territories!”
“Those dolls were controlled by Majutsu,” Adelbert told him. “How would you explain them then?”
Wolf shook his head. “I don’t know, but we have to do something!” They could see the village men fight below, archers’ arrows going straight through the countless beasts of unrestrained energy that seemed to be breaking away from the giant creature that was their leader. Others who used swords were easily taken down and clawed or bitten into submission. It was an obvious massacre.
“They have come to reclaim their prey,” Adelbert stated.
This…is because of us?! Wolf’s eyes widened at the carnage taking place. “No…” he whispered. “This isn’t right… We have to do something!”
“We will,” Adelbert stated as he leapt over the banister of the patio, gliding down to the ground so that he could confront the first waves of creatures to reach the main house.
The blonde followed his example recklessly, rushing down the stairs while yelling, “Stay back, Your Majesty!” As he saw them, Wolf related the beasts a nothing more than animals that needed to be put down for the safety of the populace-his sudden desire to fight didn’t equate the fact that they were actually quite huge, magical, and therefore rather difficult to kill. None of it actually registered to him as he pulled his sword from its sheath and swung deftly at the first monster to attack him.
Yuuri came down the stairs, but stayed back away from the fighting just as Wolf had ordered, watching from behind the safety of a tree with eyes that took in the battling gong on about him with some sickly awe. A loud roar of anger came the giant beast that towered over the entire village. It seemed even more wound up than before as it swung its immense claw, striking at the ground and throwing large pieces of debris everywhere.
A burst of energy was released in the form of a torrent wind, knocking down buildings and throwing people around in every direction imaginable. The power was so strong that Wolf could actually see the energy as it sped towards their area. Quickly, he moved in front of Yuuri’s position, noticing that von Grantz did so as well.
When it hit them, Wolf grabbed the Maou and pulled him close, just as Adelbert covered them both his own body. It was as if an entire thunder storm in all its volatility-sans thunder and rain-had struck them all in a matter of seconds. Eyes clenched shut and bodies trying to anchor to the ground and much as possible, they rode out the waves of the assault.
It ended just as abruptly as it struck, Adelbert’s cape falling away from their line of vision to reveal the utter devastation. It was all gone. The buildings, the forestry, the people scattered about with various degrees of injuries. And in the epicenter of it all stood the Beast, roaring in triumph. It was truly a horrible sight to behold.
Oh Great One… Wolf couldn’t turn his eyes away. What have we done? We brought this upon them…
“STOP!!!”
And he felt another surge, his entire body tingling as if he had just been struck by lightning. It was Yuuri, who was calling upon the elements himself in his rage. He stared at the Maou in complete awe, watching as his entire demeanor was transformed by the vastness of his own power. His eyes glowed bright gold, no longer the deep, dark black that the former slave knew so well. The Maou stood, stepping between the two blondes on the ground as he marched determinedly towards his opponent.
“Yuuri! No!” Wolf cried out, ready to stop him from something that could very well lead to his death.
“No!” Adelbert grabbed him. “He’s fine!”
“No he’s not! He’d gone mad!” the boy replied.
“Look at him!” von Grantz told him. “Look at him!”
And he did. A bright shield of blue surrounded him, a physical representation of his energy as it flowed around and within him. His hair is longer… Another difference. Along with his eyes, it was obvious that something had taken over the king, even though he still seemed as if he was the same person. What happened to him? Is this why he is the Maou? Is this why so many people follow him?
He watched as the altered boy-King faced off against the Beast that had caused so much carnage and not cower. Water burst forth from around him, shaping into the forms of snakelike dragons ready to do battle. But rather than the leader itself taking the offense, all of the smaller demons attacked, clawing and biting at the solid serpentine manifestations of water. And it seemed as if they were the ones in control.
“What is going on?” Wolf watched in half-awe and half-alarm. “Why does his power have no affect on them?!” What is he loses? What if he dies?
But then came the light. It was a blue so bright that it seemed white and almost solid in its permanence. Yuuri’s voice boomed around them, like an echo.
“You had better be prepared.”
And then came the sun. The yellow radiance like that was focus within the blue, melding with it to become one. Wolf could only watch in complete disbelief, not even bothering to shield his eyes from the brilliance. The two energies continued to mix until all that was left was the golden intensity that made the blonde feel as if he was standing only feet away from the sun itself. He finally had no choice but to cover his eyes, or risk total blindness in the light.
The Beast roared, but it sounded weaker, until it suddenly disappeared. The dark energy that flooded the field, battling for supremacy against the Maou’s overwhelming power was gone. And then the golden light dimmer, fading away into the primary blue, sucking itself slowly back into the Maou’s body. The night reigned once more, as what was left of the bright energy pulled itself back into its wielder.
“Why can he not rest in peace?”
A whisper, still an echo of the voice that was not-Yuuri. The boy-King was falling, his body crumbling to the ground and it all of his bones had turned into liquid.
“Your Majesty!” Wolf cried out rushing to his side instantly. “Are you all right?!” He pulled him into his arms, holding him close as he gently shook him. The Maou’s body was somewhat chilled and his eyes closed in unconsciousness. “Please, answer me! Wake up, Your Majesty!” Still the boy did not wake.
“Yuuri!”
Okay, there are some pregnancy issues that were brought up in this chapter that some might not know about. My sister spent much of her second pregnancy suffering from cold chills, half of the summer she was wearing sweaters and wool socks. The doctor said that it can happen to pregnant women who have a higher than natural body temperature. Since I believe Fire Majutsu is probably a hereditary AND traditional thing for the von Bielefields, Wolfram would probably think cold flashes were like being doused in a tub of ice. I know he doesn’t USE Fire Majutsu or have a contract, but I think if his family line has been using it for so many generations, his body is probably conditioned towards it genetically by now.
So there was a little Yuuram in this chapter, with Wolf also 'enjoying' the wonders of fluxuating hormones. Maybe the reason guys don't get pregnant-besides the physical incapabiities-is because they wouldn't know how to stay 'manly' when their emotions changed like the stick shift of a racecar in the Daytone 500.
Title: Into the Indefinite Sky
Author: S.P. Kathrine
Anime: Kyou Kara Maou
Genre: AU, Angst/Drama, Romance
Pairing: YuurixWolfram
Rating: M-MA (R-NC17)
Chapter: Chapter 13 13/???
Warnings: Angst, Non-Consensual Sexual themes (referenced/implied), AU, OOC Wolfram, possibly OOC everyone else, Mpreg
Summary:
Wolf had spent his life believing that he was meant for servitude. His master was strict, and often cruel, but he never thought he could be anything more than what he was. One night changes everything and he is thrown into a world that he knows nothing about and given a life he never thought he could have. But a secret he keeps could only throw his life into further turmoil and not to mention the Demon King…
BETA: nekokatechan
Crossposted @: kkm_wolframfans
Other chapters located: here
Chapter 13 - The Maou
They were allowed a brief respite in their journey in a small secluded ditch that was large enough to be considered a canyon. During this time, Adelbert returned their swords to them-Morgif giving a fuss once he was returned to Yuuri-and gave them their own horses out of those left behind by their ‘departed’ riders.
After the break, they traveled through the rugged wilderness of Dai Shimaron, following wherever the burly rogue Mazoku led them. Adalbert explained that he had remained there following when they had last parted ways after a tournament-which, Wolf realized was a story he hadn’t heard of before. But rather than ask questions-thus making himself appear unknowledgeable and inexperienced-he kept his questions to himself, knowing he could force the answers out of the Maou later if need be.
“This place is full of loot to plunder,” Adelbert stated. “Especially that from Dai Shimaron, such as war funds and supplies.”
“Plunder?” Wolf frowned. “You mean you go around attacking everyone like bandits? Much different from your days as a General of Shin Makoku.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” he shrugged, and if he was affected by the statement he didn’t show it. “Now, what do you two know of those dolls that held you captive?”
“Not a clue,” Yuuri told him. “Have you heard anything?”
“Nothing about dolls,” he clarified, “although I have heard rumors about a strange masked man that now serves as Belal’s high advisor. Since his arrival Belal’s appearance and attitude had changed greatly. He’s reinforced his obsession with conquering the rest of the free world, starting with Shin Makoku.”
“A masked man?” Yuuri raised an eyebrow. “Who is he?”
“No one knows.” Another shrug, although this one held less nonchalance. “From what we know, no one has ever even seen his face.”
Wolfram stared at him, assessing the information within his own mind. “Could the stranger have something to do with the dolls?” he wondered aloud. “Like a spell-caster?”
“That, we also do not know.” It was obvious from the dark tone, that Adelbert had his own suspicions, all including the masked man, but whatever they were, he did not say. Instead he said, “Look,” motioning forward through the trees. “This is our home.”
It was a village of some sort that was on multiple levels of ground, surrounded by fences of spiked wood that traveled throughout the entire enclosure of land on all planes.
“It is a fortress that takes advantage of its natural surroundings,” Adelbert explained. “Even Dai Shimaron’s army would have troubles getting at us.”
“Very fascinating,” Wolf conceded. “But how did all of these people come to be here?”
“Ever since I arrived, different people, all outcasts, have been arriving to seek new lives for themselves,” the burly man replied. “Imagine, a village out of a former bandit hideaway.”
They entered the gates, which were immediately closed behind them, taking in the sights of the people going on with acts of everyday life. Women were sewing, others watching over children. Men were building small huts, others carrying baskets of produce. But many stopped to stare at them as they passed.
“It reminds me of other villages I’ve seen,” Yuuri replied. “There’s no difference.”
“Yes there is,” Wolf frowned, fully alert. “Practically everyone here is a former criminal. They’re devious.”
The Maou gave him a short glare. “Have a little more faith in people,” he told him.
“Faith will get you betrayed or killed,” the blonde retorted. “Probably both.”
With a sigh, Yuuri looked forward once more, only to stiffened and point. “It’s you guys!”
Down the road short way, was three figures, two men and a woman. One of the men looked intimidating and buff-although nowhere near as intimidating as Gwendal or as buff and Adelbert-with a bald head and tanned skin. The other was rather short, skinny, and had rat’s nest that resembled a ponytail tied behind his head. The woman was a dangerous beauty to say the least, with her long blood red hair and a thin, body-fitting dress with a long cut coming up to her upper thigh that allowed her left leg to stick out. She had a long wool cloak that covered part of her, although her hands were obvious on her hips.
“What an unusual surprise guest,” she remarked, although each of them did give a slight bow in way of polite greeting.
Wolf stared at them in confusion. Although he accepted that they were most likely people Yuuri had met during one of his rather frequent adventures outside of Shin Makoku, the more strangers he met that turned out not to be strangers-except to him-the more he felt as if he was trapped in a place that he did not belong. He didn’t speak of it to anyone, but he still struggled to overcome the knowledge that he was not Wolfram von Bielefield and therefore did not fit in with those who had come into their stations in life naturally. He was a ‘welcomed’ imposter.
“Oh you three,” Adelbert acknowledged them. “Join us at headquarters.”
“Oh yes, sire,” the woman nodded.
Headquarters turned out to be a well done, rather large, cabin of logs and stone with a wide patio porch and two floors of rooms. It seemed that this was where von Grantz stayed as well of some of those who had not completed their homes. It was somewhat tight fit, although there were no complaints. It seemed that everyone in the pseudo-village worked towards common goals, with von Grantz in the center of everything.
Their horses were taken by two men to their proper stables, while Wolf and Yuuri were directed towards the patio where a table and set of chairs awaited them. Another chair had to be brought out for Wolf, as he allowed the dark-haired boy to take the one that was already present-Adelbert having taking the first one. They waited in silence, neither boy sure how to start the conversation, while the older man seemed patient to await whatever else needed to be done. It wasn’t until the red-haired woman came outside with a tray of mugs and set them on the table that the tension was addressed.
“Relax,” she told them. “It’s not like I poisoned the drinks.” She then placed her hand gracefully to her breast. “Take you time and enjoy it, Your Majesty.”
“How do you know her?” Wolf finally asked.
“I met her on the dragon reserve in the mountains,” he told him.
“Dragons?” the blonde repeated. “You mean the situation with ‘Liesel’?”
“Who’s Liesel?” Yuuri gave him a confused look.
“I believe you call him ‘Pochi’, but that is absolutely no name for a dragon,” Wolf replied. “I renamed him Liesel.”
“You can’t rename a dragon you haven’t even met!” Yuuri stated frustrated.
“I did meet him!” the blonde growled, standing affronted so that he towered over the usually taller boy. “How would you know if I met him or not? You’ve only been back for less than a week after being gone for two months!”
Yuuri cowered suitably at the boy who seemed even more aggressive and angry than usual. “Sorry!” he replied, leaning back with his hands forward to protect him should the blonde decide to get physical. “I didn’t know!”
“You didn’t ask either!” he sneered, sitting down and turning his head away in a rather refined huff of indignation.
Silence reigned once more, only to have it broken by the loud bellowing laugh of their host. Adelbert couldn’t control himself after watching the hilarity of the interaction between the two boys. “It seems that you have your hands full, bouyo,” Adelbert said to Yuuri with a wide grin on his face. “I’ve never seen you so cowed. Usually you have Weller agreeing with your every word and the rest falling at your feet.”
Wolf stiffened, taking offence without really knowing why. “I fall to no one, especially not my wimp of a fianc-” A hand closed over his mouth instantly. His eyes widened in shock, only to bite down on as many fingers as possible.
“OW!” Yuuri pulled his hand back faster than he had put it there. “Why did you do that?!”
“How dare you!” The blonde shouted.
“He’s your fiancé?” Adelbert’s surprised question broke into their heated squabble. “So word of the sudden engagement of the Maou to an unknown noble is indeed true?”
“NO!” Yuuri waved his hands wildly in disagreement.
“Oh really?!” Hands shot out, shoving the raven-haired boy roughly. Yuuri let out a cry of shock, falling off of the stool and onto the wood floor. Wolf’s ire fled within seconds as he stared at the Maou on the ground, hands going to his rear end. But rather than apologize, he snorted. “Serves you right.”
What is wrong with me? he asked internally. I don’t usually go that far, or lose control that easily. I shouldn’t be this emotional.
“I take it that your both finished?” von Grantz stared at them, eyes filled with amusement as were those of the woman beside him.
Yuuri situated himself back in his seat, conspicuously pulling it away farther away from Wolf. “Yeah,” he let out an embarrassed chuckle, hand going to the back of his head as usual. “Where were we?”
“I’ll be inside,” the woman gave a brief bow. “Enjoy your drinks.” And with that she left.
“Do you see?” Adelbert asked Yuuri. “People who don’t fit in with Mazoku or Humans, live here working together, all trying to create a peaceful place to live in unity. Isn’t that the great ideal that Heika wants to create?”
“How do we know you all just aren’t a bunch of vandals hiding out here?” Wolf questioned. “You’ve already admitted to ambushes and robbery.” He passed his look over to the two men that remained stationed behind von Grantz. The short man just gave him a rather improper wink.
“Yes, many of them are riffraff,” Adelbert didn’t try to deny it. “But they were forced into it by the tyrannical rulers of their countries. Here, even though it appears small and insignificant, they are allowed to live in a community not under the jurisdiction of anyone. It’s a stronghold of freedom.”
“They wouldn’t want to come back to Shin Makoku?” Yuuri seemed actually surprised and saddened by this.
Adelbert gave a shake of his head, “Freedom is not something that one easily gives away. And there are things you can only comprehend better once you are on the outside rather than in the middle.”
Yuuri obviously didn’t understand what this meant, although Wolf felt a small knot in his chest at the words, even though they were not meant to hold the type of significance that they did to him.
“What do you mean?” the raven-haired boy asked.
Adelbert rather open expression turned cold. “Even though you have come to trust me, I still have not forgiven Shinou for what he did.”
“Shinou?” Now it was Wolf’s turn to be confused. “I heard that you turned against Shin Makoku after your fiancé passed away during the war. What does the Original King have to do with that?”
The rogue Mazoku stared at him as if he had gone mad. “Where have you been boy? Shinou has everything to do with it!”
“My apologies,” Wolf conceding to his own ignorance, knowing there was no way for him to hide it in this area, especially when it seemed that von Grantz was so passionate about it. “I was not around during what transpired twenty years ago, I only know what I have been told in my lessons since I came to Blood Pledge Castle a couple months ago.”
“The only way you couldn’t have known was if you lived in the farthest, most rural territories of Shin Makoku,” the blonde man stated.
“Very far,” Wolf replied. “I led a rather sheltered life for many years until I came to the capital.”
“I see,” Adelbert said, a curious look in his eye. “And what are your thoughts on Shinou?”
“He is an ‘all-powerful’ ghost that needs a eight hundred-year old woman in the body of a child to speak for him,” the former slave replied. “I find much to be skeptical about.”
“There is nothing more suspicious that one who claims to be judge, jury, and executioner, while advocating power and justice,” Adelbert agreed. “Belal of Dai Shimaron is such a person and so is Shinou. You are right to be wary.”
“So you turned on your country because you had a quarrel with the Original King?” Wolf frowned.
“Make no mistake,” the man stated. “I may have abandoned the following of Shinou, but I will never turn my back on Shin Makoku. She is still more important than anything else.”
Yuuri looked down, his hand going to his chest, although for what reason Wolf was unsure. “Is it because it was the country that Julia-san wanted to protect so badly?” he asked in a soft voice.
Adelbert froze, his mug trapped in the journey to his mouth. His eyes lost focus, as if he was staring internally towards something no one else could see. Wolf didn’t fully understand what was going on, but it was obvious that the Maou had said something he shouldn’t. With a slight movement under the table, Yuuri let out a yelp of pain, trying to remove his foot from under the heel that was crushing it.
“Show more consideration,” the blonde hissed at him quietly. “Honestly, what type of king are you?” The boy-king only let out a whimper at the pain he felt.
But Adelbert was standing and moving away from them towards the banister that went about the parch area. “The fate Shinou chose for her was unneeded and far too cruel,” he said. “I tried to accept it because she had, but sometimes it’s far too easy to feel bitter about it. That is why I am here in this place, so that I may finally observe the truth and see if his purpose was worth it.”
Neither boy said anything to that, both questioning the statement in their minds. Is there always a purpose? Wolf wondered. Could there have been a purpose to what happened to me? Could Shinou have had something to do with it? It seems that he is partly responsible for everything that occurs in Shin Makoku…so could he be the reason why…?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They were given a brief tour around the entire complex. Many things were still under construction, fortifying buildings for storms and the upcoming winter. It was the end of the summer and so the cold season was not too far off. And there were more children, playing and laughing and some were even helping with the work about the village. They seemed so happy that it lifted and weighed down on Wolf’s heart at the same time.
Dinner was served on the patio and they were shown to a room on the second floor for the night. Unfortunately…there was only one bed to share between them.
“I shall sleep on the floor,” Wolf told the Maou.
“No, I’ll take the chair and you can have the bed,” the other boy contradicted.
The blonde refused to budge. “You are king,” he replied. “What king sleeps in a chair?”
Yuuri gave him a foolish smile, “Ones with really comfy thrones.” The blonde did not smile back. The Maou let out a small sigh, allowing the fatigue he felt to settle over him. He was not in the mood to argue with the blonde over sleeping arrangements until morning. “Why don’t we…anou…why…we can just share the bed,” he finally forced out. “It’s an okay size for two people.”
Wolf couldn’t believe what he was suggesting. “Do you kick in your sleep?” he asked. “I’d rather not wake with bruises.”
“No!” Yuuri shook his head. “You better not either.”
“I don’t,” he stated. Often Cheri-sama had reprimanded him-although playfully-for not taking full use of his bed, as he tended to curl up against the far edge, just a breath away from falling to the floor.
“All right then,” Yuuri nodded, although it seemed as if his cheeks were darker. Wolf blamed it on the light from the fireplace.
They removed their swords and shoes, placing them on and under the table. Both moved to the bed, but neither made the first step towards actually getting in it. Wolf stared towards the floor while Yuuri’s head pivoted about on his neck, looking about in whatever direction caught his ‘attention’. The blonde spared at glance towards the discomfited boy, frowning at his blatant self-forced obliviousness.
“It’s late,” he finally huffed, crawling onto the bed and moving to the side closest to the door. “get in already, wimp, or else you can just stand there all night. This was your idea to begin with.”
From the sputter and stutter in his voice, Wolf knew that the Maou was blushing to the roots of his hair. “I…I guess your right,” he managed and slowly-as if he were a man sentenced to death at dawn-he situated himself on his side of the bed, making sure to keep his back turned away from his bedmate. He moved the sheets and blanket about anxiously as if he did not know what to do with himself. After some time, he seemed make do with the arrangement and calmed quite a bit.
The bed was indeed large enough for two, but just barely. They still were touching, back-to-back. Or at least, they should have been. Both boys remained as far apart as they could without falling off of the bed, Wolf out of habit, Yuuri out of the awkwardness of the situation.
The blonde tried to ignore the knowledge that someone else was in bed with him. It was something that he had not dealt with for years-decades-before coming to Shin Makoku. But after his arrival and settling in, he had become accustomed to Greta sneaking into his room late in the night should she have a nightmare or be frightened by an unexpected storm. She would also curl up next to him, her small body pressed so close that he would wonder at times if she was trying force herself into his body. Strangely, her presence had never driven him to fear or survival instincts.
The night had cooled comparably from the daylight hours, most likely due to their elevation in the mountainous forest, and Wolf was thankful for the fireplace that had been warming the room since before their introduction to it. It was the end of August, and therefore should not have been so chilled, but the blonde was certain that the chill he felt was from the weather outside. Perhaps a storm in brewing, he pondered, trying to suppress a shiver. Why else would I feel so cold? Subconsciously, a hand went to his stomach, although he moved it away as soon as he recognized the action. He shivered again.
The body beside him-and yet so far away-shifted, turning over. “Wolf? What’s wrong?” he stared at the other boy, who had not twisted to look back at him yet. “You’re shaking like it’s the middle of the winter. It’s really not that cool, especially with the fire going.”
“H-How should I know?” Wolf still did not rotate his head, although he did have to forcefully stop his teeth from chattering. “I j-just feel c-cold.” He shivered again.
The boy-King didn’t say anything in return and the blonde thought that it had been left alone. He settled back into the half of the pillow he used and tried to sleep, even though his body felt ice-cold in some areas, particularly his arms, legs, and back. Why do I feel like this? he wondered. I feel as if my body is slowly freezing from the outside in…
The other body in the bed moved, the area behind him dipping down. And then there was the hand. It hesitantly same from behind him, stopping very once and a while in indecisiveness. Ultimately, it curled around his upper abdomen as the body behind him pulled him closer. He was frozen, but from shock rather than from cold. What is he doing?!
“My family and I…used to go camping,” Yuuri finally, spoke, his voice wavering and fast. “My mom… She always said that if someone fell in the river and was hurt…you should curl up to them to keep them warm. Body heat, ya know?”
The hot breaths were against his ear, the other boy’s upper chest against his back. A brow rested against the top of his head and Wolf shivered again, although he was not sure what was the actual cause. He felt fear, because of the fact that it was Yuuri-a man-holding him in a way that no one had done. There was no pretense, no underlying motive. The Maou was far too open to hide such a thing even if he wanted it. It was only a show of concern and compassion.
“Thank you,” he whispered, not even sure if the raven-haired boy could hear him or had already fallen asleep. He allowed the warmth to seep into him from his bedmate, lulling him to sleep with its security. He still felt a chill in his limbs, but it didn’t matter anymore.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There were screams, loud booms and crashes that jolted Wolf from the clutches of sleep. And it was not just the racket Morgif was making from the tabletop. It was obvious that Yuuri was awake as well when the arm that still covered him was removed quickly.
“What is going on?” the boy asked, fighting off the last recesses of his dreams.
“We’re being attacked!” the blonde stated as he hurried from the bed to put on his shoes and strap on his sword-belt. The Maou quickened to do the same before both boys rushed from the room, down the stairs, and out through the already open door onto the patio. Adelbert was already there, watching the on-goings below anxiously.
What they saw was a strange bright image of some strange mystical beast, though transparent, that was ransacking the lower levels of the village.
“What is that?!” Yuuri screeched.
“A monster?” Wolf suggested.
Adelbert shook his head in repulsed confusion. “I don’t know,” he admitted, “but it looks like a form of Majutsu.”
“But that’s impossible!” Wolf pointed out. “I…I thought only the Maou was capable of using Majutsu this deep into Human territories!”
“Those dolls were controlled by Majutsu,” Adelbert told him. “How would you explain them then?”
Wolf shook his head. “I don’t know, but we have to do something!” They could see the village men fight below, archers’ arrows going straight through the countless beasts of unrestrained energy that seemed to be breaking away from the giant creature that was their leader. Others who used swords were easily taken down and clawed or bitten into submission. It was an obvious massacre.
“They have come to reclaim their prey,” Adelbert stated.
This…is because of us?! Wolf’s eyes widened at the carnage taking place. “No…” he whispered. “This isn’t right… We have to do something!”
“We will,” Adelbert stated as he leapt over the banister of the patio, gliding down to the ground so that he could confront the first waves of creatures to reach the main house.
The blonde followed his example recklessly, rushing down the stairs while yelling, “Stay back, Your Majesty!” As he saw them, Wolf related the beasts a nothing more than animals that needed to be put down for the safety of the populace-his sudden desire to fight didn’t equate the fact that they were actually quite huge, magical, and therefore rather difficult to kill. None of it actually registered to him as he pulled his sword from its sheath and swung deftly at the first monster to attack him.
Yuuri came down the stairs, but stayed back away from the fighting just as Wolf had ordered, watching from behind the safety of a tree with eyes that took in the battling gong on about him with some sickly awe. A loud roar of anger came the giant beast that towered over the entire village. It seemed even more wound up than before as it swung its immense claw, striking at the ground and throwing large pieces of debris everywhere.
A burst of energy was released in the form of a torrent wind, knocking down buildings and throwing people around in every direction imaginable. The power was so strong that Wolf could actually see the energy as it sped towards their area. Quickly, he moved in front of Yuuri’s position, noticing that von Grantz did so as well.
When it hit them, Wolf grabbed the Maou and pulled him close, just as Adelbert covered them both his own body. It was as if an entire thunder storm in all its volatility-sans thunder and rain-had struck them all in a matter of seconds. Eyes clenched shut and bodies trying to anchor to the ground and much as possible, they rode out the waves of the assault.
It ended just as abruptly as it struck, Adelbert’s cape falling away from their line of vision to reveal the utter devastation. It was all gone. The buildings, the forestry, the people scattered about with various degrees of injuries. And in the epicenter of it all stood the Beast, roaring in triumph. It was truly a horrible sight to behold.
Oh Great One… Wolf couldn’t turn his eyes away. What have we done? We brought this upon them…
“STOP!!!”
And he felt another surge, his entire body tingling as if he had just been struck by lightning. It was Yuuri, who was calling upon the elements himself in his rage. He stared at the Maou in complete awe, watching as his entire demeanor was transformed by the vastness of his own power. His eyes glowed bright gold, no longer the deep, dark black that the former slave knew so well. The Maou stood, stepping between the two blondes on the ground as he marched determinedly towards his opponent.
“Yuuri! No!” Wolf cried out, ready to stop him from something that could very well lead to his death.
“No!” Adelbert grabbed him. “He’s fine!”
“No he’s not! He’d gone mad!” the boy replied.
“Look at him!” von Grantz told him. “Look at him!”
And he did. A bright shield of blue surrounded him, a physical representation of his energy as it flowed around and within him. His hair is longer… Another difference. Along with his eyes, it was obvious that something had taken over the king, even though he still seemed as if he was the same person. What happened to him? Is this why he is the Maou? Is this why so many people follow him?
He watched as the altered boy-King faced off against the Beast that had caused so much carnage and not cower. Water burst forth from around him, shaping into the forms of snakelike dragons ready to do battle. But rather than the leader itself taking the offense, all of the smaller demons attacked, clawing and biting at the solid serpentine manifestations of water. And it seemed as if they were the ones in control.
“What is going on?” Wolf watched in half-awe and half-alarm. “Why does his power have no affect on them?!” What is he loses? What if he dies?
But then came the light. It was a blue so bright that it seemed white and almost solid in its permanence. Yuuri’s voice boomed around them, like an echo.
“You had better be prepared.”
And then came the sun. The yellow radiance like that was focus within the blue, melding with it to become one. Wolf could only watch in complete disbelief, not even bothering to shield his eyes from the brilliance. The two energies continued to mix until all that was left was the golden intensity that made the blonde feel as if he was standing only feet away from the sun itself. He finally had no choice but to cover his eyes, or risk total blindness in the light.
The Beast roared, but it sounded weaker, until it suddenly disappeared. The dark energy that flooded the field, battling for supremacy against the Maou’s overwhelming power was gone. And then the golden light dimmer, fading away into the primary blue, sucking itself slowly back into the Maou’s body. The night reigned once more, as what was left of the bright energy pulled itself back into its wielder.
“Why can he not rest in peace?”
A whisper, still an echo of the voice that was not-Yuuri. The boy-King was falling, his body crumbling to the ground and it all of his bones had turned into liquid.
“Your Majesty!” Wolf cried out rushing to his side instantly. “Are you all right?!” He pulled him into his arms, holding him close as he gently shook him. The Maou’s body was somewhat chilled and his eyes closed in unconsciousness. “Please, answer me! Wake up, Your Majesty!” Still the boy did not wake.
“Yuuri!”
Okay, there are some pregnancy issues that were brought up in this chapter that some might not know about. My sister spent much of her second pregnancy suffering from cold chills, half of the summer she was wearing sweaters and wool socks. The doctor said that it can happen to pregnant women who have a higher than natural body temperature. Since I believe Fire Majutsu is probably a hereditary AND traditional thing for the von Bielefields, Wolfram would probably think cold flashes were like being doused in a tub of ice. I know he doesn’t USE Fire Majutsu or have a contract, but I think if his family line has been using it for so many generations, his body is probably conditioned towards it genetically by now.
So there was a little Yuuram in this chapter, with Wolf also 'enjoying' the wonders of fluxuating hormones. Maybe the reason guys don't get pregnant-besides the physical incapabiities-is because they wouldn't know how to stay 'manly' when their emotions changed like the stick shift of a racecar in the Daytone 500.